iugg 24 th international tsunami symposium recent united states tsunami warning system improvements...

IUGG 24th International Tsunami Symposium

Recent United States Tsunami Warning System Improvements

Paul WhitmoreBill Knight

Stu WeinsteinJuly, 2009


Tsunami Warning System Elements

Observational Networks• Seismic• Sea Level

• Coastal • Deep-ocean• Run-up

Tsunami Warning Centers• Data Processing• Forecasting• Disseminate MessageCommunications Networks• Transmit the messageEmergency Mgmt. Response• Respond to warnings• Prepare public


Observational Network Improvements - Seismic

Pre-2004 Net

2009 Net


Detection Improvements – Quakes >= 5.5

2004 – 35% Detection

2008 95% Detection

White indicates automatic detection

Red indicates quake without auto-detection

Courtesy of Paul Huang - WCATWC


Observational Network Improvements – Sea Level

Pre-2004 Net

2009 Net

Not just more stations, but lower

data latency as well…


Elapsed Time Before Tsunami Arrives at 3 Stations

NOW

Jan, 2005

> 4.0hrs1hr – 2hrs

<.5hr

Courtesy of N. Becker, PTWC


U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers

• AOR increase• Indian O.

• US/Canada east

• Caribbean

• 24x7 operations• 2 TWCs – 24x7 – 30 permanent staff

• Improved performance• Forecasting• Threat analysis

• Base warning areas on pre-computed threat analysis

• Products• Energy maps

• w/w/a maps

• 2-level warnings (warning and advisory) since Feb., 2008


Tsunami Warning System History in the United States


Performance Measures


U.S. TWC IT Modernization Project

• Joint AT/PT project• Developing

Technical Requirements

• 3-year project• Funds identified


Forecasting Improvements


Threat Analysis


Improved Products


Communications Networks

• New Methods• VTEC in Tsunami

Products

• SMS messages

• Public Email lists

• RSS Feeds

• CAP products

• Traditional• GTS

• NOAA Weather Wire

• AWIPS

• Weather Radio

• EAS

• Home page

• FAX


Emergency Management Response

• International/National Exercises• Pacific Wave 06/08

• LANTEX 09

• Communications Testing• Alaska/California end-to-end EAS tests

• Routine monthly testing

• Mitigation• Increased evacuation route signage

• New sirens

• Inundation/Evacuation map development

• Response plan development

• Outreach events increase

• TsunamiReady Program• Increase to 65 communities in U.S.

iugg 24 th international tsunami symposium recent united states tsunami warning system improvements...

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